Parking field security device

ABSTRACT

A security device for selectively blocking a parking space to prevent unauthorized use of the space. Stationary vertical support means set into the pavement of ground outside and adjacent to the parking space and a moveable barrier portion is pivotally secured to the support means so as to be swingable from an upper, vertical position in which the space is free for use by a vehicle, to a lower, horizontal position in which the barrier portion extends across a substantial portion of the parking space and blocks use thereof. Locking means may be provided to lock the barrier in either horizontal or vertical positions, or both, to prevent unauthorized moving thereof.

United States Patent Goldberg i July 4, 1972 [54] PARKING FIELD SECURITY DEVICE [21] Appl. No.: 94,291

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 27,600, April 13,

1970, Pat. No. 3,600,853.

3/1952 Dunn ..49/35 4/1959 Goodman ..49/35 Sullivan ..49/35 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,473,269 2/1967 France ..49/49 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney-Lining 8L Siegel and Henry A. Marzullo, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A security device for selectively blocking a parking space to prevent unauthorized use of the space. Stationary vertical support means set into the pavement of ground outside and adjacent to the parking space and a moveable barrier portion is pivotally secured to the support means so as to be swingable from an upper, vertical position in which the space is free for use by a vehicle, to a lower, horizontal position in which the barrier portion extends across a substantial portion of the parking space and blocks use thereof. Locking means may be provided to lock the barrier in either horizontal or vertical positions, or both, to prevent unauthorized moving thereof.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PA'ttmimutmm 3.673.734

SHEET 10F 3 FIG./

PATENTEDJLIM 1972 3,673,734

SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR. LEONARD GOLDBERG ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJuL 4 I972 SHEET 30F 3 LEONARD GOLDBERG INVENTOR.

PARKING FIELD SECURITY DEVICE This application is a continuation-in-part application of applicants earlier filed co-pending application, Ser. No. 27,600, filed Apr. 13, 1970, and entitled PARKING FIELD SECURL TY DEVICE (now U.S. Pat. 3,600,853).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for preventing unauthorized use of a parking space, and particularly to such a device which will block the parking space and which may be moved out of blocking position by a person authorized to use such space.

Frequently, particularly with regard to industrial plants or other large businesses, it is desirable and customary to provide reserved parking space for certain members of the staff or other employees. Such spaces are generally marked as reserved;" however, unless a guard or parking attendant is present, there is customarily no way to prevent an unauthorized person from using such reserved parking spaces.

In an attempt to prevent unauthorized use of such reserved spaces, it has previously been proposed to provide barrier devices which normally block such reserved parking spaces, and which can be selectively moved to a non-blocking position only by a person authorized to do so. Such known devices conventionally are set into the pavement or ground within the area of the parking space, generally near the rear thereof, and include a swingable portion which may be pivoted from a substantially vertical position, in which it blocks may or exit of a vehicle from the space, and a substantially horizontal position adjacent the ground in which the vehicle can pass over the barrier and enter into or exit from the parking space.

A primary disadvantage of such known parking space barrier devices has been that, due to their location within the parking space itself, the vehicle must pass over same to enter into or exit from the parking space. Inasmuch as these devices generally protrude a considerable distance above the pavement or ground level, even when in their horizontal, nonblocking position, considerable damage may be done to the vehicle if it is not precisely aligned with regard to the parking space and the barrier device. Additionally, in winter months, when it is necessary to plow parking lots or other parking areas to clear same of accumulated snow, such known parking space barriers present a considerable hazard and obstacle to the operators of snow-plows, due to the aforementioned protrusions above ground level even when in horizontal, nn blocking position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above background in mind, it is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for preventing unauthorized use of a parking space which avoids the abovementioned drawbacks of known prior art devices.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide such a parking space barrier device which is set into the pavement or ground level outside the parking space and which will prevent unauthorized entry of a vehicle into the space.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a parking space barrier device which may be readily swung between a blocking and non-blocking position by any person authorized to do so, and which may be locked against such swinging motion by a non-authorized person.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a parking space barrier device which is counter-balanced by weight means at the end opposite to the end which provides the obstacle means for preventing a vehicle from entering a parking space.

Yet a still further object of the invention is to provide a parking space barrier device which is provided with support means for supporting the moveable barrier portion of said device when it is in the lower, horizontal blocking position.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a parking space barrier device which may be constructed in much larger dimensions and for varied uses, particularly where area restriction is desired.

. Yet still another object of the invention is to provide a parking space barrier device which may be provided with advertising indicia or other messages.

These, as well as other objects which will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds, are implemented by the inventive parking space barrier device characterized by a stationary vertical support means set into the ground outside and adjacent to the parking space, and a movable barrier portion pivotably secured to the support post means andadapted to be swingablefrom a vertical position in which the space is free for use by a vehicle, to a horizontal position in which the barrier portion extends across a substantial portion of the parking space'and blocks unauthorized use thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE. DRAWINGS The invention itself will be better understood, and additional features and advantages thereof will become apparent, from the following detailed description of a preferred inventive embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partially in section, showing two parking spaces each provided with the inventive barrier device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, looking along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the inventive barrier device;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2, partially in section, looking along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing details of the pivoted joint of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, of a modified form of the parking field security device of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the locking means when the barrier is locked in a horizontal blocking position; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the parking field security device shown in the vertical unblocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. I, there is shown a portion of a parking lot or other parking area provided with a plurality of security devices constructed according to the present invention, and having a plurality of parking spaces generally designated as 10 and separated by suitable divider means 12 of any suitable form, such as paint markings, physical barriers or the like. As shown, an elevated walkway 14 is provided at one end of the parking spaces 10, and includes a curbing 16 at the edge thereof facing the parking spaces, as is customary.

A parking space barrier device, generally designated as I8, is provided for each of the parking spaces 10 which is desired to be reserved. As best seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the barrier or security devices 18 includes a lower, substantially vertical stationary support post member 20, which is rigidly set into the ground by any suitable means, as for example, by being secured within a hollow sleeve member 22 anchored within the curbing 16. The support post 20 may be constructed of any suitable material which is strong, durable, and generally weather-resistant and may preferably, for example, comprise a suitable length of aluminum pipe.

Pivotally secured to the upper end of the support post 20 by any suitable pivoting means, as for example, a pivot pin or hinge member 24 extending through an upward extension 26 of the support portion 20, is a barrier member generally designated as 28, which is adapted to be swingable between a first or substantially vertical position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 wherein the parking space 10 is free for use by a vehicle and a second, generally horizontal position shown in phantom lines in these figures, in which the barrier member 28 extends across a substantial portion of the parking space and prevents use thereof by a vehicle. As best seen in FIG. 3, member barrier member 28 comprises an upstanding base portion 30, the lower end of which is pivoted to the support post 20 by means of the pivot pin 24, and which in its vertical position forms essentially an upward extension of the support post 20, a generally horizontal, transversely extending bar member 32 secured to the top of the base portion 30 and extending to either side thereof generally parallel to the edge of the parking space (i.e. parallel to the curbing l6), and a pair of generally parallel upstanding arm members 34 respectively secured to the opposite ends of the transverse bar members 32. The height of the pivoting means 24 between the support post 20 and the barrier member 28 is preferably chosen so that the barrier member 28, when lowered to its blocking position as shown in phantom lines, is at a suitable height to effectively prevent a vehicle from using the parking space accordingly, for example, a suitable height for the pivot would be approximately 2 to 3 feet above the pavement or ground level of the parking space 10 in order to correspond generally with the main body portion of an average vehicle. The blocking member 28, in the same manner as the support portion 20, may be constructed of aluminum pipe, and may have the various arms thereof secured to each other, as shown, by standard plumbing connectors.

Locking means are provided for selectively locking the swingable barrier member 28 in either its upper or nonblocking position, or its lower or blocking position. Such locking means, as best seen in FIG. 4, may preferably comprise a locking arm member 36 secured to the rear side of the base portion 30 of the blocking member 28, adjacent the lower end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom, and having an aperture 38 extending therethrough of sufficient dimensions to freely receive a locking pin member 40 which extends through the base portion adjacent its upper end and which protrudes from the rear side thereof, as shown. A suitable hole may be drilled or otherwise provided through the locking pin 40, adjacent the rear end thereof, to receive the hasp of a conventional padlock 42 or the like. Thus, it will be seen that when the barrier member 28 is in its vertical or nonblocking position, with the aperture 38 of the locking bar 36 fitting over the end of the locking pin 40, as shown in FIG. 4, and retained thereupon by the padlock 42, the barrier member 28 will thus be prevented from pivoting forwardly and downwardly. Additionally, a locking plate 44 having an aperture 46 therein is secured to the opposite side of the base portion 30, and is so located that the aperture 46 will align with a similar aperture 48 of a locking plate 50 secured to the upper end of the support portion 20 and extending generally horizontally therefrom, when the barrier member 28 is lowered to its horizontal, blocking position shown in phantom lines. By passing the clasp of the padlock 42 through the thus aligned apertures 46 and 48 of locking plates 44 and 50, the barrier member 28 may thus be locked in this horizontal position.

The outer ends of the parallel arm members 24 may advantageously be provided with means to enhance the visibility of same, so that the driver of a vehicle does not inadvertently collide with the arms under conditions of poor visibility. Thus, for example, the ends of the arms may be provided with suitable reflector means 52 secured to the ends thereof, which reflector means 52 will be clearly visible when the barrier member 28 is lowered to its horizontal blocking position. To further increase the visibility of these reflector members 52, they may be painted or otherwise given a bright, easily visible color, and may additionally be reflectorized, so that they will be readily visible either by day or night. Further, if desired, the ends of the arm members 34 may be provided with suitable decorative means indicated as 54, shown in dotted lines, secured to the arms 34 in such a manner that they do not obstruct the visibility of the reflector means 52.

The operation and use of the device is believed apparent from the description of its construction above; however, this operation will be briefly reviewed hereunder for the sake of clarity. Firstly, assuming that the barrier member 28 is initially in its upright, non-blocking position and is locked in this position, if the person authorized to use such space desired to block the space against use by unauthorized vehicles, he may remove the padlock 42 from the locking pin 40 of the base portion 20, thus freeing the locking arm 36 and permitting the barrier member 28 to be swung downwardly to its blocking position shown in phantom lines. In this position, the apertures I 46 and 48 of the locking plates 44 and 50 secured to the barrier member 28 and the support portion 20, respectively, will be aligned, and the barrier member 28 may be then locked in this position by passing the clasp of padlock 42 or any other suitable locking means through these aligned apertures. In the event that it is then desired to use this space, the above procedure is reversed; i.e., the padlock is removed from the apertures 46 and 48 in the locking plates 44 and 50, the barrier member 28 is raised to its vertical, non-blocking position shown in solid lines, with the locking bar 36 of the barrier member fitting upon the locking pin 40 to lock the barrier member in its upright position.

The length of the base portion 30 and the arm members 34 of the barrier member 28 is preferably chosen such that when the barrier member 28 is lowered into its horizontal, blocking position, the arm members 34 will extend a substantial distance across the parking space 10 and will effectively prevent a vehicle from being moved into this space. By the use of aluminum piping or other light-weight, rigid materials, a length of the arms 34 may be utilized without unduly adding weight to the device, whereby the barrier member 28 may be readily swung to either position without undue effort.

it will be appreciated that, inasmuch as the support post member 20 is secured within the sleeve member 22 which is located outside and adjacent to the actual parking space, no portion of the device is located within the parking space at ground level. Accordingly, when the device is raised to its vertical, non-blocking position shown in solid lines in the drawings, the parking lot or other parking area may be readily plowed without the necessity for watching for obstructions in the pavement, as would be the case in prior known devices of this nature.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5-7, there is illustrated a parking field security device 60 provided with counter-balancing means 62 on the end of the barrier portion opposite to the portion of the barrier and which extends into the parking space and blocks the use thereof. In this embodiment, the stationary vertical support means preferably comprises a pair of verticle posts 64 and 66, suitably secured to the pavement or ground outside and adjacent to the parking space 68.

The parking space 68 may be masked or separated from adjacent parking spaces by suitable means 70, such as paint markings, physical barriers or the like. At the foot of the parking space 68 and fixedly secured to the pavement, wheel blocking means 72, such as a concrete railroad-like tie, may be employed to limit the forward travel of a vehicle into the parking space 68 so as not to risk damage to the parking security device 60.

The moveable barrier portion 74 which is pivotally secured to the pair of support post means (64 and 66) is swingable from an upper, vertical position in which the parking space is free for use by a vehicle, to a lower, horizontal position (substantially parallel to the marking means 70) in which the barrier portion 74 extends across a substantial portion of the space and blocks use thereof. The weight of this barrier portion 74 is counter-balanced by the counter-weight 62 so that the barrier portion 74 may be lifted up and moved from one position to the other position by one's index finger alone or by a small child. The counter-weight 62 may comprise concrete disc, metal disc or other suitable weighted means of any desirable shape and size.

In view of the fact that the barrier portion 74 extends substantially into the parking space 68, it may be desirable to employ at least one supporting leg means 76 near the distal end 78 so as to provide greater stability, alleviate any bending movement about the joint 80 of the cantilevered barrier portion 74 and to preclude one from attempting to shear the locking means 82 which will be described hereinafter.

A stay bar 84 may be secured by suitable means, such as nuts and bolts or welding between the two vertical support post means 64 and 66 and this stay bar 84 prevents the barrier portion 74 from accidentally pivoting more than 90 from the horizontal blocking position. The barrier portion 74 is connected to horizontal supporting element means 86; which means 86 is disposed between and connected also to the upper ends of the vertical support posts 64 and 66 by suitable pipe fitting means. Thus, for example, a conventional cross type of fitting 88 is preferred and used to fasten the barrier portion 74 to the horizontal supporting element means 86 which comprises in this application a pair of short pipe lengths. Although a tee" type of fitting may also be employed, in such case the counterweight 62 would have to be secured by other suitable means to the device so as to achieve the necessary counterbalancing effect. it will be appreciated that the horizontal supporting element means 86 is generally disposed parallel to the front portion of the parking space 68 (namely, parallel to the bumper 72).

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking means is respectively shown in a lower, locked blocking position and an upper, locked non-blocking position. Such locking means, preferably comprises a locking pin member 90 having a shoulder or head 91 which extends through suitable apertures provided in the horizontal supporting element means 86 and the right angle fitting type of coupling means 92 connecting the means 86 to the vertical pair of support posts (64 and 66). It will be noted that the means 86 is provided with four aligned apertures 94 located at right angles from each other forming a cross" in effect. The associated coupling means 92, on the other hand, is only provided with two cooperating aligned apertures 96 so as to permit the locking pin member 90 to pass horizontally (or vertically, or at any other angle, if desired) through the appropriate pair of apertures 94 when the device is in either upper of lower position. The locking pin member 90 is retained in place in either position by a suitable padlock 98 passed through suitable aperture means (not shown) at the free or end opposite to the head 91 of the locking pin 90.

The end 78 of the barrier portion 74, as well as the ends of the leg(s) 76 maybe provided with reflector means 100 to particularly enhance the visibility of the device at night. Moreover, if desired, the device may be provided with means for displaying advertising media or other signs simply by afiixing, preferably, to the barrier portion 74 or leg(s) 76 sign means for securing such advertising, etc. thereto.

The operation and use of the device is believed apparent in view of the description hereinbefore presented, and accordingly, it will be appreciated and will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other means than those specifically disclosed herein may be employed in practicing the present invention. Consequently, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings or'described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A parking lot security device for preventing unauthorized use of a parking space comprising, generally upstanding support post means secured to the ground outside and adjacent to the parking space and a counterbalanced barrier member pivotally secured to said support post means for swinging movement between a first, generally vertical position providing access to a vehicle to the parking space, and a second, generally horizontal position preventing access of a vehicle to the parking space; said barrier member, when in said horizontal position, extends across a substantial portion of said parking space at a height generally corresponding to the body portion of a vehicle. 2. The security device as defined in claim 1, wherein barrier member is provided with leg means which provide stability for said barrier member when said security device is in a generally horizontal position.

3. The security device as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier member comprises a horizontal transverse supporting member pivotally secured to said support post means, and a generally upstanding arm member secured to said transverse supporting member, said arm member extending across the parking space when said barrier member is in said horizontal position.

4. The security device as defined in claim 3, wherein said arm member is provided with counter-balancing means on an extension of said arm member in an axial direction beyond the point where said arm member is secured to said transverse supporting member.

5. The security device as defined in claim 4, wherein said arm member is provided with at least one leg extending therefrom adjacent the distal end thereof so as to provide stability for said arm member when said security device is in a generally horizontal position.

6. The security device as defined in claim 4, wherein said arm member is provided with reflector means secured to the distal end thereof, whereby said arm member will be readily visible to the driver for a vehicle when said barrier member is in said horizontal position.

7. The security device as defined in claim 6, further comprising means for displaying advertising media.

8. The security device as defined in claim 7, further comprising locking means for locking said am member 9. The security device as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking means comprises a locking pin member adapted to be locked in position and having a head at one end, and cooperating aperture means in said transverse supporting member and said support post means for locking said arm member in substantially vertical and horizontal positions. 

1. A parking lot security device for preventing unauthorized use of a parking space comprising, generally upstanding support post means secured to the ground outside and adjacent to the parking space and a counterbalanced barrier member pivotally secured to said support post means for swinging movement between a first, generally vertical position providing access to a vehicle to the parking space, and a second, generally horizontal position preventing access of a vehicle to the parking space; said barrier member, when in said horizontal position, extends across a substantial portion of said parking space at a height generally corresponding to the body portion of a vehicle.
 2. The security device as defined in claim 1, wherein barrier member is provided with leg means which provide stability for said barrier member when said security device is in a generally horizontal position.
 3. The security device as defined in claim 1, wherein said barrier member comprises a horizontal transverse supporting member pivotally secured to said support post means, and a generally upstanding arm member secured to said transverse supporting member, said arm member extending across the parking space when said barrier member is in said horizontal position.
 4. The security device as defined in claim 3, wherein said arm member is provided with counter-balancing means on an extension of said arm member in an axial direction beyond the point where said arm member is secured to said transverse supporting member.
 5. The security device as defined in claim 4, wherein said arm member is provided with at least one leg extending therefrom adjacent the distal end thereof so as to provide stability for said arm member when said security device is in a generally horizontal position.
 6. The security device as defined in claim 4, wherein said arm member is provided with reflector means secured to the distal end thereof, whereby said arm member will be readily visible to the driver for a vehicle when said barrier member is in said horizontal position.
 7. The security device as defined in claim 6, further comprising means for displaying advertising media.
 8. The security device as defined in claim 7, further comprising locking means for locking said arm member
 9. The security device as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking means comprises a locking pin member adapted to be locked in position and having a head at one end, and cooperating aperture means in said transverse supporting member and said support post means for locking said arm member in substantially vertical and horizontal positions. 